Pump Foot With Flexible Hinges for Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pump designs face difficulties in convenient and trouble-free height adjustments, often resulting in complex constructions and assembly issues due to additional structures, which are not user-friendly or cost-effective.
Innovation Solution
A pump with a foot featuring a coupling structure, flexible hinges, and a snap connection mechanism that allows the foot to pivot between two stable positions, enabling easy height adjustments without the need for additional components, and can be manufactured using 3D printing for versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If additional structures (such as base of a pump) are coupled or uncoupled with the pump to adjust height, then the desired height adjustment is achieved, but the construction becomes complex and assembly/disassembly issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The foot is integrated as an integral part of the pump housing, merging the height adjustment function directly into the pump structure. This eliminates the need for separate additional structures that need to be coupled or uncoupled, thereby reducing construction complexity while maintaining height adjustment capability through the bistable mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The foot incorporates a bistable mechanism with flexible hinges that allow dynamic movement between two stable positions (first and second positions). This dynamic design enables easy height adjustment without complex assembly/disassembly operations, as the foot can pivot between positions using the flexible hinge and snap connection mechanism
2Reliability
If feet are fixed with screw connection of fixing element to hinges, then the foot position is secured, but the assembly process becomes tedious and not cost effective
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional screw connection mechanism is replaced with a snap connection mechanism that engages with the coupling structure. This substitution maintains the reliability of foot position stability while dramatically simplifying the assembly process, making it more cost-effective and efficient by eliminating tedious screwing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The snap connection mechanism provides self-locking capability where the foot automatically secures itself in the stable positions through the interaction of the snap connection and coupling structure. This self-service feature ensures reliable position stability without requiring additional fixing elements or complex assembly procedures
3Ease of operation
If a bistable mechanism with flexible hinges is used, then the foot can pivot between stable positions easily, but the durability of hinges must be ensured for repetitional movements
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible hinge is designed with specific material properties and geometric parameters that optimize both flexibility for easy pivoting and durability for repetitional movements. The hinge incorporates features such as optimized thickness, material selection, and stress distribution design to ensure it can withstand repeated cycling between stable positions while maintaining ease of operation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a simple, efficient, and cost-effective method for adjusting pump heights, reducing downtime and assembly complexity, while ensuring durability and long service life through flexible hinges and snap connections, and allowing for various material options.
Implementation Method 1
The first arm and the second arm are coupled by flexible hinges
Implementation Method 2
the first arm and the third arm are coupled by a snap connection
Implementation Method 3
In the first stable position and the second stable position of the foot the front panel is adapted for the pump to rest on it
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A foot (106) for a pump (150). The foot (106) includes a base body (110) defining a first end (116) and a second end (118), a coupling structure (112) and a front panel (114). The coupling structure (112) is coupled to the base body (110). The coupling structure (112) allows the foot (106) to remain in a first stable position and a second stable position. The front panel (114) is coupled to the coupling structure (112). The foot (106) is characterized in that it includes a first arm, a second arm and a third arm. Further, a third arm is positioned to actuate both the first arm and the second arm. Moreover, the first arm (122) and the second arm (124) are coupled by flexible hinges (128), and the first arm (122) and the third arm (126) are coupled by a snap connection (130).